'A despicable creature': What Tory MP is accused of calling Cameron in rant at party

Denials: Patrick Mercer said 'I am certainly not going to make those comments in public...even if I believe them'

A senior Tory MP was yesterday accused of launching a tirade of abuse against the Prime Minister in which he allegedly branded him a 'despicable creature' and an 'a**e'.

Patrick Mercer was also said to have described David Cameron as the 'worst politician' in British history since William Gladstone and vowed: 'We'll get rid of him.'

The extraordinary remarks were claimed to have been recorded at a party in Central London last week.

But the former Army colonel strongly denied he made many of the comments, and said he was consulting lawyers. He added that the material had been obtained by 'subterfuge' and insisted that much of the recording, which has been played back to him, was inaudible.

Mr Mercer, a former homeland security spokesman for the Tories, did admit suggesting that Home Secretary Theresa May would probably have to resign in the wake of the row over border agency controls being relaxed.

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In the recording, obtained by a newspaper, Mr Mercer is said to have declared of his boss: 'He's a most despicable creature without any redeeming features.

'He's the worst politician in British history since William Gladstone.'

Asked where Mr Cameron went wrong, Mr Mercer said: 'Well, he was born.'

And, asked if he planned a coup against the PM, Mr Mercer said: 'Yes, but not yet. He'll go in the spring. He'll resign in the spring.'

Asked who would replace the Prime Minister, Mr Mercer replied: 'Well if I don't kill him, then I probably will out of fun – and show the country how really badly it can be run. I've never, ever come across anyone less suited to the job in my life.

'I would take a beggar off the streets and put him in that position rather than have Cameron. I loathe him.

He added: 'I just told you Cameron was an a**e. That's a matter of fact, not politics.'

According to a transcript of Mr Mercer's alleged conversation, he added that Mr Cameron's only redeeming feature was that he was 'rich'.

He also allegedly condemned the Prime Minister's 'utter arrogance, his inability to make a sensible decision'.

Flattering comparison? The 19th century Liberal Prime Minister William Gladstone

The Newark MP was apparently taped as he attended the annual autumn party of the London Magazine with his wife.

The son of an Anglican bishop, Mr Mercer had a distinguished Army career, serving in Northern Ireland, Uganda, Brunei and the Balkans. He is a former BBC defence correspondent and has been an MP for ten years.

He was made shadow minister for homeland security in 2003, but was fired by Mr Cameron in 2007 after saying he had met a lot of 'idle and useless' ethnic minority soldiers.

When contacted about his comments, Mr Mercer brushed them off as 'a light-hearted conversation'. He said: 'Yes, I had a drink but certainly not so much that I couldn't drive. I fell into a friendly conversation. We talked about all sorts of subjects.

'I certainly didn't make those comments in the way that's being suggested. I'm not going to make those sort of comments in public . . . even if I believe them.'

Friends said he had been 'stitched up' and insisted he did not make many of the remarks.

A spokesman for the Prime Minister refused to comment. She said: 'I think we will be maintaining a dignified silence on this one.'

Labour's deputy chairman Tom Watson said: 'Patrick Mercer has revealed what we all knew – that David Cameron is out of touch with the country. Now we know that he is out of touch with his own party.'

Mr Mercer's alleged comments seem to have been supported by many on the ConservativeHome website, which represents grass-roots activists.

One said: 'I agree with Patrick Mercer and hope that he sticks to his guns and does not retract or recant. His views on Cameron echo my own and I have met many Conservatives, both members and voters, who feel likewise.'

Another added: 'What's to disagree with? Each time I see him I ask how on earth such a sub-standard man could EVER have become British Prime Minister.'